Hound handlers, state work together to monitor lion numbers
In southwestern Montana, mountain lion monitoring biologist Ashley Hodge gathers essential information on mountain lion populations and their movement patterns. To collect this vital information, she is leaning on help from four-legged friends and their loyal owners in hopes of collaring one of Montana's most elusive mountain creatures. (Montana FWP photo)
For the past several years, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has worked with local hound handlers to monitor lion populations. This unique and beneficial relationship is an efficient way to monitor a highly elusive species.
“We contract with hound handlers from the public,” said Molly Parks, FWP’s carnivore coordinator. “The hound handlers are very skilled with highly trained hounds. That’s exactly the skill we need to make this research project work.”
The local handlers bring a high level of integrity to the data being collected.
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